Six sides — Puerto Rico, China, Japan, Portugal, Korea and
Tunisia — competed in the World League Qualification
Tournament in 2010 and they were dwindled down to just two who are now
set to compete in the 2011 edition.

Puerto Rico first came through their two matches with Portugal on August
6 and 7 before seeing off China on August 28 and 29 to seal their place
in the premier annual men's contest.

Meanwhile Korea beat Japan twice to maintain their spot in the
tournament. However, Japan followed shortly after following the
withdrawal of the Netherlands.

The late withdrawal of Egypt following political unrest however, saw
Portugal invited back into the tournament in their place for the first
time since 2006.

For detailed competition results, click on Qualifications in the menu
bar

Intercontinental Round

The Intercontinental round takes place from May 27 to
July 2, 2011. Each team plays two matches against the same team on
separate days over the same weekend (usually from Friday to Sunday).

With
three rounds at home and three away, there are a total of 12 matches for
each team and an overall total of 96 matches in the intercontinental
round. Cuba and Japan will be playing all of their matches away from
home. Cuba, who are renovating their national stadium, will play their
matches away from home this year, as will Japan following the nuclear
disaster that struck the country in March.

Pool's Seeding

Pool A

Pool B

Pool C

Pool D

Brazil

Russia

Serbia

Cuba

Poland

Bulgaria

Argentina

Italy

USA

Germany

Finland

France

Puerto Rico

Japan

Portugal

Korea

Pool's Ranking System

Match won 3-0 or 3-1: 3 points for the winner, 0 point for the
loser.Match won 3-2: 2 points for the winner, 1 point for the loser.

In case of tie, the teams will be classified according to the following
criteria: number of matches won, sets ratio and points ratio.

Final Round qualification (8 teams)

- 4 Winners of pools and 4 second placed sides, A, B, C, D.

- 1 Host Country of the Final Round (Poland)*

*If Poland is ranked below the top two at the
intercontinental stage, they still qualify for the Final Round and the
three best second teams join them.

The teams are divided in two Pools "E" and "F" of
four teams each and will play round-robin during the first three days.
Ranking will be established
as per the WL Specific Competition Regulation described above.

The two top teams of each pool
will advance to crossed semifinals (1st of pool E v 2nd of pool F and
1st of pool F v
2nd of pool E) and final matches. Teams ranked third of each pool are
eliminated and will be ranked tied for the fifth place.